Are Gluten-free Restaurant Foods Free of Gluten?

A study out of Columbia shows that gluten-free served in restaurants may contain traces of gluten.  According to FDA regulations, for a food to be considered gluten-free, it must have less than 20ppm of gluten.  "The research showed 32 percent of tests revealed detectable gluten in dishes that were supposed to be gluten-free."

Okay, but how reliable is this study?  The results were uploaded by users (diners) onto a portable device that 'may' be capable of detecting gluten below the 20ppm level.  "And most importantly, these results were voluntarily uploaded by users, who may be more likely to share results that show gluten contamination.”

So  really, we don't know what the true percentage of restaurants that are in error of calling their food gluten-free, or if the food is technically gluten-free according to the regulation.

https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/public-health-now/news/study-measures-gluten-gluten-free-labeled-restaurant-food
Chronic Disease, Food Policy and Obesity Apr. 05 2019
Study Measures Gluten in Gluten-Free Labeled Restaurant Food

USDA FSIS Calls Out Washington Post on Misleading Article on Pork Processing

On the USDA webpage, USDA FSIS posted a rebuttal to an article published in the Washington Post on April 3rd titled" Pork industry soon will have more power over meat inspections".

The main stream media loves to spin new initiatives to make it seem like the government and industry seem like they are in cahoots to make the food supply less safe.  But the reality is that our pork supply is safer and Salmonella, while a concern in all raw meats, has not been involved in major outbreaks.    It was good to see that USDA responded to this article to provide balance.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2019/nr-040819-01
USDA’s FSIS Condemns The Washington Post for False Reporting on a Critical Public Health Issue
April 8, 2019

Study Determines via WGS that Product Contamination Issue Actually a Laboratory Cross Contamination Issue

A study in the International Journal of Food microbiology shows that a 2013 Salmonella contamination case, where Salmonella was found in finished chocolate, was determined to be a laboratory cross contamination issue.  Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), researchers matched the product contaminate with an organism from the laboratory.

WGS of contamination cases should become standard practice for commercial laboratories where their findings of a positive sample will result in large value recalls.  Laboratories should have their positive control strains tested as other positive samples recently found.  Additionally, commercial laboratories should already have an aggressive environmental monitoring program.

International Journal of Food Microbiology

Volume 298, 2 June 2019, Pages 39-43
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160518307785
Whole genome sequencing used in an industrial context reveals a Salmonella laboratory cross-contamination

Outbreak of E. coli O103 - 73 Cases, Source Still Unknown

CDC is investigating an ongoing outbreak of E. coli O103 infection.  To this point, 72 people have become ill in 5 different states.  Eight people have been hospitalized.  While the primary symptom is bloody diarrhea, the infection can progress to cause damage to the kidney, or HUS.  This is a severe complication with loss of kidney function.  There have not been any cases progressing to HUS.

No source has been identified yet.  Historically, outbreaks such as this have been linked to leafy greens such as romaine or spinach, undercooked ground meat, sprouts, and raw flour.

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0405-multistate-outbreak-e-coli.html
CDC Investigation Notice: Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O103 Infections

April 5, 2109

Flame Broiled Hamburgers Recalled After Complaints of Foreign Material - Soft Purple Plastic

AdvancePierre Foods, Inc., an Enid, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 20,373 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef patties (frozen RTE flame broiled beef patties). that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically soft purple plastic.  The problem was discovered on April 1, 2019 after the firm received two consumer complaints regarding soft purple plastic found in the product.

Perhaps someone confused dinosaur for beef.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-040-2019-release
AdvancePierre Foods, Inc. Recalls Frozen Beef Patties due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class II Recall
040-2019
Health Risk: Low
Apr 2, 2019

Stuffed Sandwiches Recalled for Foreign Material in the Form of Semi-Transparent Plastic

J & J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp., a Holly Ridge, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 56,578 pounds of stuffed sandwich products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically semi-transparent plastic.  The problem was discovered when the establishment received consumer complaints. FSIS was notified on April 3, 2019.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-042-2019-release
J&J Snack Foods Handhelds Corp. Recalls Stuffed Sandwich Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall
042-2019
Health Risk: High
Apr 5, 2019

This Week in Mislabeled Products for Week Ending April 6, 2019

Mislabeled Soup Results in Allergen Issue - Blount Fine Foods, a Fall River, Mass. establishment, is recalling an undetermined amount of ready-to-eat chicken soup products due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen, the product contains milk, a known allergen, which is not declared on the product label. The institutional, frozen “Chicken & Poblano Pepper Soup” items, which were labeled incorrectly as “Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup,” The problem was discovered when the firm received a consumer complaint.  (Production issue  - wrong labels used when packing product...simple mistake, costly error, easy to prevent).

Crust Contains Almond Flour Which was Missed in Design of Label - Little Red Rooster Ice Cream Company, d/b/a NadaMoo! (“NadaMoo!”) announced a limited voluntary recall of approximately 26,000 pints of its Strawberry Cheesecake Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert because they contain an undeclared almond ingredient. The recall was initiated as soon as it was discovered that the pie crust inclusions in the Strawberry Cheesecake product containing almond flour as an ingredient was inadvertently filled into packaging that did not declare that ingredient, potentially exposing consumers to an undeclared allergen.

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2019/recall-041-2019-release
Blount Fine Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Soup Product due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen
Class I Recall
041-2019
Health Risk: High
Apr 4, 2019

WA Raw Pet Food Recalled After Testing Finds Listeria monocytogenes

Thogersen Family Farm, a Washington State establishment is recalling raw frozen ground pet food after the State of Washington tested and found the product was positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  While freezing will restrict growth, it does not eliminate it.  And once the food is opened and poured into Rex's bowl, the organism is in the kitchen, on the dog, and on the owner's hands.  And if Rex's owners are older, or have young children, or are immune compromised in some way, they are at an increased risk of illness.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm635396.htm
Thogensen Family Farm Recalls Raw Frozen Ground Pet Food (Rabbit; Duck; Llama; Pork) Because of Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Health Risk
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019

Tomato Paste Recalled for Potential Can Damage That Can Result in Mold Growth

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) is recalling a particular lot of its Hunt’s Tomato Paste No Salt Added six ounce cans after complaints were received for mold.  According to the FDA release,  "After the canning process, the final product could have been damaged, creating the potential for mold.  Conagra Brands became aware of the issue after receiving calls from consumers."

So it appears the can had damage  which provided the opportunity for mold (and air) to get into the can.  Since the product is high acid (low pH), mold is the type type of organism that would be most likely to grow.  The damage does not have to be something that is noticeable, even as small as a pin hole will provide enough for microorganisms to get inside.

https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm635309.htm
Conagra Brands Announces Recall of a Limited Amount of Hunt’s Tomato Paste Cans Due to Potential Presence of Mold
For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019